A dissident republican accused of false imprisonment, possession of firearms and assault has had all charges against him withdrawn by the State at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The charges against Paul Kelly (46) of Cedarwood Park, Coxs Demesne, Dundalk, Co Louth were dismissed by Judge Katherine Delahunt after a request by a solicitor acting for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
There was a heavy Garda presence in court and visitors were searched at the door when they entered in preparation for Kelly's arrival from Portlaoise prison.
Kelly is currently serving a four year sentence imposed by the Special Criminal Court last November for membership of the INLA. He was arrested after trying to ram a Garda Emergency Response Unit who attempted to stop him in Dundalk.
The father-of-five and his passenger were arrested and when his car was searched gardaí found a large number of stolen Garda uniforms.